Vending machine for dispensing bags

ABSTRACT

Vending machine ( 10 ) houses two rows of four stacks of bags ( 13 ), differing in material or size. On coin actuation, bag ( 13 ) on the top of a selected stack is gripped by suction cup ( 27 ) and moved so that it falls into compartment ( 14 ), from where it is externally accessible. Suction cup ( 27 ) is movable, by a pneumatic ram, to-and-fro along horizontal arm ( 24 ) to grip, say, bag ( 13 ) of a rear stack and bring it forward so that it can be deposited in compartment ( 14 ). Arm ( 24 ), in turn, is movable up or down vertical arm ( 36 ) that, in turn, is movable horizontally along guide track ( 28 ) so that different stacks can be accessed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to dispensing machines and in particularto vending machines for dispensing goods in response to a customertendering payment for the goods.

BACKGROUND ART

At the moment, the majority of Australian retailers providenon-biodegradable plastic carry bags which end up as landfill or litter.Some of these bags are recycled at supermarket collection bins, but thisis only a very small percentage of the total number of bags used.

Each year Australians throw away six billion plastic bags. That's 12,000bags a minute, most discarded after one use.

The plastic bags clog waterways and kill thousands of sea birds, seamammals and fish each year. Turtles, dolphins and killer whales mistakethem for jellyfish and die of intestinal blockage.

Bags contaminate kerbside recycling, can remain undegraded in theenvironment for up to 1000 years, and cause problems for landfill.

There has been debate on the use of plastic bags but little action. Themajor supermarket chains have adopted the policy of asking customers ifthey need a bag. They have designed calico bags, and tried box systems.

The momentum for change is building. Ireland's

15 cent (26 cents) plastic bag tax, introduced in March 2002, has cutthe number of discarded bags by 95 percent.

Federal Ministers in some countries have warned that if consumers do notcut down on plastic bags they will consider imposing a tax or levy onthem.

Recent surveys have shown that about 70 percent of consumers worry thatplastic bags harm the environment.

There are alternatives. One is the biodegradable plastic bag, which hascobalt in it. The cobalt breaks down the plastic within one and threeyears. Another is corn starch bags that biodegrade in four to six weeks.

There are various systems available for dispensing goods purchased fromvending machines.

One such system is provided for vending products such as beverage andother food products, preferably individually packaged, from a storageunit to a customer terminal at a remote location through a pneumatictube conveyor to move the product from storage to a dispensing unit atthe remote location in response to product selection made by a customerat the remote location. For example, the system may sell food, beveragesor vehicle care products to customers at a fuel dispensing station bycharging to a fuel charge system having a credit card reader associatedwith a self-service fuel pump to process the fuel purchase charge. Theproduct is preferably moved through the conveyor in a reusable carrieror in its own product packaging container that serves as a carrier.

Another system uses an existing product vending machine as a storage andloading device for use in a pneumatic vending and delivery system alongwith an interface unit in place of the vending machine door. A productdispensing terminal is connected by the delivery tube of a pneumaticconveyor from the storage and loading device, which has a loadingmechanism configured to load a product dispensed by the dispensingmechanism into the delivery tube. The pneumatic conveyor includes a backpressure source operable to apply reverse pressure to a product in thedelivery tube to gently slow a product approaching the productdispensing terminal through the tube.

A gate is selectively moveable into and out of the path of a productproximate the outlet end of the delivery tube to stop a product slowedby the back pressure source and to release the stopped product fordelivery to a customer at the product dispensing terminal. The loadingmechanism includes a moveable member connected at one end to a blowerand having an open end configured to receive a product dispensed by thedispensing mechanism and to seal the inlet end of the delivery tube withthe received product positioned between the blower and the tube. Themoveable member is preferably a bucket shaped element pivotally mountedto move between an open position for receiving a product dispensed bythe dispensing mechanism and a closed position sealing the inlet to thedeliver tube.

Bag and sack storage dispensers are also known. These generally have ahousing that is secured to a mounting surface, preferably on theinterior of a kitchen cabinet door. The housing has an integral framethat supports sacks or bags or other planar items during storage. Theframe depends from a vertical base that mounts directly to the mountingsurface. A horizontal support panel extends outwardly from the door andbase. An auxiliary support panel may also extend outwardly from the doorand the base. The auxiliary panel extends parallel to but beneath theprimary support panel. Each panel has at least one elongated slotpenetrating its surface, although there may be more. The slotspreferably run parallel to one another and perpendicularly intersect thebase. An elongated leg protrudes outwardly from each slot toward thebase. Each leg has a foot on one end that secures the leg to the panel.The foot comprises a follower that moves in the slot. The other leg endcomprises a terminal, resilient end that is oriented toward the cabinetdoor or other base attachment surface. A biasing assembly ensures thateach leg is normally biased toward the cabinet door or other baseattachment surface.

Simpler dispensers are known. One such dispenser is a dispenser having atop surface and a front surface with a cut-out extending between thefront and top surfaces with slits extending from sides of said cut-outalong the front surface. A stack of plastic bags or plastic sheetpick-up tissues are arranged in the dispenser and are dispensed bygrasping an uppermost one via the cut-out and pulling outward with thebags being pulled one at a time through the cut-out and slits.

There are also automatic bag systems for supermarket check-out counters.These machines generally have some form of heat sealer for operation inrelation to plastic rolls which form a bag around items positionedwithin the machine.

All of the above dispensers generally dispense disposable plastic bags.As described above, these bags cause or contribute to an environmentalproblem. None of the above dispensers are adapted to dispense bags whichmay be reusable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a vending machine for dispensingbags, which may at least partially overcome the abovementioneddisadvantages or provide the consumer with a useful or commercialchoice.

In a broad form, the invention resides in a vending machine fordispensing bags comprising a housing having an interior and an exterior,a storage compartment for storing bags located in the interior of thehousing, a dispensing compartment accessible from the exterior of thehousing, suction means positioned to allow movement between the storagecompartment and the dispensing compartment, the suction means adapted tograsp the bags stored in the storage compartment, hold the bags duringmovement and release the bags into the dispenser compartment, andcontrol means to control the movement of the suction means.

It is particularly preferred that the dispenser according to the presentinvention dispenses paper or other types of reusable bags. The inventionaccording to the broadest form however, may be used to dispense othertypes of bags such as woven high density polyethylene bags for example.Other types of bags may be dispensed in the alternative or in additionto the types described above such as bags made from calico or othertypes of cloth, or bags containing biodegradable material.

In one form, the invention resides in a vending machine for dispensingpaper bags comprising a housing having an interior and an exterior, astorage compartment for storing paper bags located in the interior ofthe housing, a dispensing compartment accessible from the exterior ofthe housing, suction means positioned to allow movement between thestorage compartment and the dispensing compartment, the suction meansadapted to grasp the paper bags stored in the storage compartment, holdthe paper bags during movement and release the paper bags into thedispenser compartment, and control means to control the movement of thesuction means.

In another form, the invention resides in a paper bag vending machinefor dispensing paper bags comprising a housing having an interior and anexterior, a storage compartment for storing bags located in the interiorof the housing, a dispensing compartment accessible from the exterior ofthe housing, means for moving the bags positioned to allow movementbetween the storage compartment and the dispensing compartment, themoving means adapted to grasp the bags stored in the storagecompartment, hold the bags during movement and release the bags into thedispenser compartment, and control means to control the movement of themovement means.

In use, the vending machine may be located in a supermarket and usersmay approach the machine to insert money. This will activate the suctionmeans which will then move to dispense the number of bags that the userhas paid for. The tendering of money or payment by the user may activatea dispensing cycle. The machine is particularly directed towards thedispensing of bags as they are more rigid than low density polyethyleneplastic bags which are likely to be deformed and perhaps even destroyedby the suction means. Plastic bags may also cause the suction means toclog.

The housing may preferably be rectangular in configuration, having afront wall, two opposed sidewalls, a rear wall, a base and a top wall.At least part of the front wall may suitably be see-through.

The housing may be divided internally into an upper and a lower portion.Preferably the upper portion may house the storage compartment and thenecessary equipment while the lower portion may house the motor, orpower producing equipment. This may assist with the appearance of themachine, particularly if the front wall of the machine is see through.The front wall may comprise more than one panel. There may be at leastone panel for each of the upper and lower portions.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the front wall maycomprise three panels, an upper front wall panel, a middle front wallpanel and a lower front wall panel. The middle front wall panel maypreferably be or comprise an access door to access the interior of theupper portion of the machine. The lower front wall panel may preferablybe or comprise an access door to access the interior of the lowerportion of the machine.

The housing may typically be manufactured from a lightweight but strongmaterial such as metal except obviously the see-through portions. Thesemay be made of engineering plastics to maintain strength but remainsee-through. The housing may have a structural frame to which the wallsare attached. The frame may provide substantially all of the strengthand rigidity to the machine allowing it to remain light but strong.

At least one of the front, rear wall or side walls may suitably have anaccess panel or door to allow access to the interior of the machine.This may be necessary for service of the machine or for loading of thebags. The door may suitably be hinged and may occupy the whole or onlypart of the wall. The door may be securable against theft and so may belockable. There may be more than one door.

Generally, for example, there may be a door or access panel to allow auser to access the dispensing compartment. This door is not necessarilypositioned on the rear or side walls and most preferably is on the frontwall of the housing. This door is preferably only openable during thedispensing cycle and is secured at all other times.

The housing may comprise one or more reinforced portion to reduce damagesuffered by the housing and also to increase the security of themachine. As an example, the corners of the housing may be reinforced toprevent damage to them, or the housing may be reinforced around anyaccess panels to facilitate locking the housing.

The housing may suitably be on wheels or castors to allow the machine tobe moved more easily. The wheels may be securable to prevent the machinemoving when movement is not desired. Securable wheels of this kind arewell known and any type may be used.

The housing may also be equipped with lifting lugs to allow movement bycranes or forklifts, for example. It is envisaged that the machine maybe rather heavy and lifting lugs may be desired.

The storage compartment may suitably be rectangular or bin-like in shapewith an open top into which the suction means may extend. There may bemore than one storage compartment in each machine and in this case thestorage compartments may contain different size bags.

The storage compartment may suitably be shaped to suit the shape of thebags to be stored and dispensed. It is envisaged that a number ofdifferent shape bags may be used in conjunction with the machine.

Part of the storage compartment may suitably be seen through so that anindication of the inventory of bags disposed therein may be taken fromoutside the machine. The remainder of the storage compartment maygenerally be manufactured from a strong material such as metal.

The storage compartment may suitably not engage the bags closely. Thewalls of the compartment may be spaced a small distance from theperiphery of the bags. The spacing may suitably not be so great that thebags are moved out of alignment while being moved.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the storage compartment maycomprise a base, a front and an opposed rear wall and two opposed sidewalls. The base may have a movable base or a movable plate positionedabove the base which can move up and down. The bags may suitably beplaced on this moveable plate during loading of the storage compartment.This moveable plate may move upward as the bags are used throughprovision of a spring or other type of resilient means. The movement ofthe plate may be controlled. The plate may be moved upward in smallincrements as bags are dispensed to allow a bag to always be in positionfor engagement with the suction means until the storage compartment isempty.

The moveable plate may move the bags towards the suction means.

In another embodiment, the base may be fixed and the suction means maybe movable within the storage compartment to the bags. The suction meansmay be a suction cup or suction powered grippers or pincers.

The suction means may be associated with a movable arm assembly. The armassembly may comprise an extendable arm member associated with thesuction cup, a substantially vertical positioning arm and a guide meansor track for the positioning arm. The extendible arm member may beadapted to extend over or into the storage compartment. The extendiblearm member may be fixed in length and the suction means may be extendeddue to the operation of a pneumatic ram. The suction means may then beable to move backwards and forwards along the length of the extendiblearm member. The arm member may extend in a direction perpendicularly tothe front wall of the machine and is preferably long enough that thesuction cup can extend to reach any of the bags in the storagecompartment.

The arm member may also be associated with a substantially verticalpositioning arm. The arm member may be able to move up and down on thepositioning arm to follow the level of the bags in the storagecompartment.

The positioning arm may be associated with a guide track to allow easymovement across the width of the storage. The guide track may beequipped with stops at the extremities of movement to prevent movementoutside these bounds. The guide track is preferably associated with anupper area of the upper portion of the machine. The positioning arm maysuitably depend from the guide track.

The combination of the three components of the arm assembly may allowthe suction means to move along three axes of the storage compartmentand to reach every bag disposed therein.

The suction means may be associated with a grip enhancing profile toassist in the gripping or movement of the bags.

The movable plate in the storage compartment may suitably be movedutilizing compressed air or pneumatically. Other methods of movement areenvisaged such as hydraulics. A pneumatic ram may suitably be used forthe movement of the plate.

The storage compartment may be removable from the housing.

This may allow the storage compartment to be loaded with bags moreeasily and thereby facilitate refilling. The storage compartment may beon wheels which may be securable to prevent any undesirable movement ofthe storage compartment.

The bags with which the storage compartment is loaded may be disposed ina horizontal, flattened position. This position may allow the suctionmeans to grasp and hold the bags more easily. Alternatively, the bagsmay be folded to provide a more stable unit for lifting or gripping. Thebags may be associated together in packs of any number if so desired.The packs may be bound together using any means but wrapping incardboard or the like may be particularly preferred.

The dispensing compartment may suitably be positioned adjacent to thestorage compartment within the housing. It may be positioned such thatthe bags disposed within the storage compartment cannot be reachedthrough any access door in the housing. This may prevent theft of thebags.

The access door (if provided) to the dispensing compartment may only beopened as a part of the dispensing cycle. At all other times the accessdoor may be secured with the last step in the dispensing cycle being thesecuring of the access door in the closed position. Preferably, thedispensing cycle may not start while the access door is opened. Theremay suitably be a “cutout” switch to prevent operation of the machinewhile the door is opened.

The dispensing compartment may be shaped to allow the bags positionedtherein to be readily accessible to a user upon opening the access door.In a particularly preferred embodiment, the dispensing compartment islocated between the middle front wall portion and the lower front wallportion. The dispensing compartment may have a curved base wall adaptedto prevent any bags removed from the storage compartment from fallinginside the housing and to ensure the availability of bags removed fromthe storage compartment fro the user.

The dispensing portion may be shaped to be accessible from the front ofthe machine but to prevent a user from reaching inside the machine toaccess the bags disposed within. The dispensing compartment may have acurved wall disposed towards the base of the housing to allow any bagswithin the dispensing compartment to be directed downwardly andforwardly.

The suction means according to the invention may be any type of meanswhich utilises a suction method in order to grasp the bags. Inparticular, the suction may be applied directly to the bags in order tograsp and hold the bags, or alternatively, the suction may be applied toclose fingers or other gripping means in order to grasp the bags. Thesuction means may preferably comprise a pneumatically operable suctioncup. The suction cup may suitably be manufactured from a resilientmaterial such as rubber.

As stated earlier, the engagement of the suction means with the bags maybe through the bags being moved to the suction means or the suctionmeans moved to the bags. The suction means may be moved to the bagsutilizing an extendible arm member to reach into the storagecompartment. The extendible arm member may be extended due to theoperation of a pneumatic ram. The pneumatically operable suction cup maybe located at the end of the extendible arm member.

The suction means may suitably be associated with a track or some othertype of guide means to allow easy movement between the storage and thedispenser compartments. The track or guide means may be equipped withstops at the extremities of movement to prevent movement outside thesebounds. The suction means may suitably be capable of stopping or pausingat multiple points along the track. Aspects of the position and movementof the suction means may suitably be controlled.

The control means may suitably be associated with a means for acceptingpayment for the bags. The control means may be separate from the meansfor accepting payment but in use the two may be connected to allow thecontrol means to start the dispensing cycle once the payment has beenmade. Proximity switches, photoelectric cells may be associated with thecontrol means to allow the correct positioning of the suction means withregard to the storage compartment and the dispensing compartment.

The means for accepting payment may be capable of accepting payment inany form including but not limited to credit cards, Electronic FundsTransfer (EFT), coins, notes or any combination of these. The means foraccepting payment may suitably be capable of recognizing thedenomination of payment and giving change if required. There may be akeypad or touch screen associated with the means in order to give adegree of control over the selection of the type and number of bags tobe dispensed.

The control means may allow the user of the machine to select the sizeof the bag required if the machine has more than one size bag containedtherein.

The control means preferably controls all of the moving parts of themachine including the suction means, the moveable plate in the storagecompartment (if applicable), the arm assembly associated with thesuction means (if applicable), the means for accepting payment andgiving change, opening of the access door to the dispensing compartmentand the power source for the machine including the source of the airused in the pneumatics of the machine.

The control means may also control the movement and position of thesuction means preferably through a feedback control loop.

The control means may suitably control the machine so that the tasksrequired to dispense a bag are performed in the desired format or orderto accomplish the dispensing of the bag. The control means may suitablybe a Programmable Logic Controller (PLC).

The control means may preferably include a MODEM in communication with adigital counting means. This feature may suitably allow monitoring ofthe level of inventory in the form of bags in each dispensing machineand/or machine performance, from a remote location. The remote locationmay be a central location adapted to monitor the number of bags in anumber of machines spread over an area.

Each dispensing machine may preferably be equipped with an inventorylevel indicator.

The dispensing machine is preferably coin operated and includes controlmeans which activates the suction means and any other internal workingsof the dispensing machine in response to indication of receipt of thecorrect amount of money.

A pneumatic system is preferably utilised to control movement of bagsfrom the storage compartment to the dispensing compartment.

The pneumatic system suitably includes a compressor which is activatedresponsive to sensing of receipt of payment of proper denomination andwhich may remain operable throughout each cycling of the machine.

The bags which may be used in the machine may be of any type suitablefor flat packing. The bags may be of any size or type of paper, forexample small, medium or large bags, bags with integral handles, andwax-lined bags for damp and/or cold foodstuffs.

In another form the invention resides in a method for dispensing bagsfrom a dispensing machine comprising the steps of providing a pluralityof bags in a storage compartment, accepting payment for the bags from auser, operating a suction means positioned to allow movement between thestorage compartment and a dispensing compartment to grasp the bagsstored in the storage compartment, the suction means holding the bagsduring movement and the suction means releasing the bags into thedispenser compartment for collection by the user.

The step of accepting payment may occur at any stage in the process andthe payment may even be performed remotely.

As stated above, there may be more than one type of bag available from asingle machine. Suitably, a single dispensing machine may dispense aselection of bags of differing dimensions as well as a selection of bagsmanufactured from different materials. In particular, the storagecompartment may have a plurality of compartments, each compartmentstoring a plurality of different sized bags and/or bags manufacturedfrom different materials. These different sized and manufactured bagsmay offer the user a commercial choice in the type of bags purchasedfrom the vending machine. The control means may control the operation ofthe suction means in accordance with the user's selection of bagsrequired by the user of the machine and provide that bag to the user.

According to an alternative embodiment, the storage compartment of themachine maybe in the form of a carousel which rotates. The carousel maystore a plurality of bags or groups of bags therein or on. The carouselmay suitably be an indexing carousel and the movement of the carouselmay align the bags or groups of bags with the suction means. The suctionmeans may then remove the bags or groups of bags from the carousel tothe dispensing compartment. The carousel may have one or more levelsdisposed vertically above each other and the suction means may beadapted to remove a bag or group of bags from any location in any of thelevels. Preferably, the suction means may be located toward the front ofthe machine and the carousel may rotate to orient the bags or group ofbags to be dispensed from the machine to the suction means. The suctionmeans may then not be required to move extended distances around themachine to reach the bags.

The carousel may be indexed and controlled using ay particular means ofindexing. In particular, rotary or linear actuators may be used tocontrol the position and movement of the carousel.

The dispensing machine of the present invention may further preferablycomprise an information screen located on the front or upper portion ofthe machine. The information screen may suitably be in the form of aplayback device capable of playing prerecorded messages such asinformation messages about the damage caused by disposable plastic bags.Ideally, the information screen may be interactive. The informationscreen may suitable be capable of displaying television signals or othersignals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vending machine according to apreferred aspect of the present invention showing the internal workings.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the vending machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the vending machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the vending machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view from the rear of the vending machine ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a vending machine 10 isprovided.

The vending machine 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises a generallyrectangular housing 11 having an interior and an exterior. A storagecompartment 12 for storing bags 13 is located in the interior of thehousing, towards the center of the machine. There are a plurality ofstorage sub-compartments 23 each storing different sized bags or bags ofdiffering materials. The storage compartment 12 is located above adispensing compartment into which bags 13 removed from the storagecompartment 12 are deposited in order to be available to the user whichpurchased them.

A dispensing compartment 14, accessible from the exterior of the housing11, is positioned adjacent the storage compartment 12. Suction means 15is positioned with respect to the storage compartment 12. The suctionmeans 15 allows movement between the storage compartment 12 and thedispensing compartment 14. The suction means 15 is adapted to undergo adispensing cycle in which it grasps the bags 13 stored in the storagecompartment 12, holds the bags 13 during movement from the storagecompartment 12 to the dispensing compartment 14 and releases the bags 13into the dispenser compartment 14. Control means 16 is provided tocontrol the movement of the suction means 15.

The housing 11 is generally rectangular, having a front wall 17, twoopposed sidewalls 18, 19, a rear wall 20, a base 21 and a top wall 22.At least part of the front wall 17 is see-through to allow a user towatch the workings of the machine 10. The front wall as illustrated inthe Figures comprises more than one portion, an upper front wall portion17 a, a middle front wall portion 17 b and a lower front wall portion 17c. The upper front wall portion 17 a is associated with signageidentifying the bags available and perhaps the company selling the bags.As illustrated in FIG. 1, the machine has a skeletal structural frame 32to which the walls are attached and secured. This allows the walls to bequite light while the structural frame 32 provides the necessarystrength and rigidity.

The front wall 17 has an access panel. Generally the entire middle frontwall portion 17 b is an access panel to allow access to the interior ofthe machine 10 to allow for loading of the bags 13. The access panel 17b is hinged and occupies the whole of the middle front wall portion 17b. The access panel 17 b is securable against theft and is lockable.

A further access panel 17 c can be provided adjacent a lower portion ofthe machine to allow access to the lower portion of the machine. Theworkings of the machine including any motor, compressor 30 or vacuumpump is located in a lower portion of the machine. Also included in thelower portion of the machine is the storage of money and/or change to beprovided. The lower portion may also be equipped with side ventilationareas 33 to allow cooling of the motor for the machine. These sideventilation areas 33 are removable to allow extra access to the lowerportion.

The housing 11 is on wheels (not shown) to allow the machine 10 to bemoved more easily. The wheels are securable to prevent the machinemoving when movement is not desired.

The storage compartment 12 is generally rectangular with an open topinto which the suction means 15 extends. There is more than one storagecompartment 12 in the machine shown in FIG. 1 and in this case thestorage compartments 12 may contain different size bags 13 or bagsmanufactured from different materials. The storage compartment comprisesfour sub-compartments 23 wide by 2 deep.

The storage compartment 12 has a base, a front and an opposed rear walland two opposed side walls. It also includes a plurality of internaldividing walls to divide it into sub-compartments 23.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the base of the storagecompartment is fixed and the suction means 15 is movable within thestorage compartment 12 to the bags 13.

The storage compartment 12 is removable from the housing 11. This allowsthe storage compartment 12 to be loaded with bags 13 more easily. Theaccess door 17 b is secured in the closed position. The dispensing cyclemay not start while the access door 17 b is opened.

The bags 13 with which the storage compartment 12 are loaded aredisposed in a horizontal, flattened position. This position allows thesuction means 15 to grasp and hold the bags 13 more easily.

The dispensing compartment 14 is positioned adjacent the storagecompartment 12 within the housing 11.

The dispensing compartment 14 is accessible by the user regardless ofthe portion of the dispensing cycle. The dispensing compartment 14 isshaped to allow access by a user. It is located between the middle frontwall portion 17 b and the lower front wall portion 17 c. The dispensingcompartment has a curved base wall adapted to prevent any bags removedfrom the storage compartment 12 from falling inside the housing 11 andto ensure the availability of bags removed from the storage compartmentfor the user.

The dispensing portion 14 is shaped to be accessible from the front ofthe machine but to prevent a user from reaching inside the machine toaccess the bags disposed within. The dispensing compartment 14 has acurved wall disposed towards the base of the housing 11 to allow anybags 13 within the dispensing compartment 14 to be directed downwardlyand forwardly.

The suction means 15 is a pneumatically operable suction cup 27. Thesuction cup 27 is manufactured from rubber.

The suction cup 27 is moved to the bags utilizing a movable armassembly. The arm assembly comprises an extendable arm member 24associated with the suction cup 27, a substantially vertical positioningarm 36 and a guide means or track 28 for the positioning arm 36. Theextendible arm member 24 is adapted to extend over or into the storagecompartment 12. The extendible arm member 24 is fixed in length and thesuction cup 27 is extended due to the operation of a pneumatic ram. Thepneumatically operable suction cup 27 is able to move backwards andforwards along the length of the extendible arm member 24. The armmember 24 extends in a direction perpendicularly to the front wall ofthe machine and is long enough that the suction cup 27 can extend toreach any of the bags in the storage compartment 12.

The arm member 24 is associated with a substantially verticalpositioning arm 36. The arm member 24 is able to moved up and down onthe positioning arm 36 to follow the level of the bags in the storagecompartment 12.

The positioning arm 36 is associated with a guide track 28 to allow easymovement across the width of the storage compartment 12. The guide track28 is equipped with stops at the extremities of movement to preventmovement outside these bounds.

The combination of the three components of the arm assembly allow thesuction cup 27 to move along three axes of the storage compartment 12and to reach every bag disposed therein.

The control means 16 is associated with a means for accepting payment 29for the bags 13. The control means 16 is connected to the means foraccepting payment 29 to allow the control means 16 to start thedispensing cycle once the payment has been made.

The pneumatic system operating the suction cup 27 and the arm assemblyincludes a compressor 30 which is activated responsive to sensing ofreceipt of payment of proper denomination and which may remain operablethroughout each cycling of the machine.

In the present specification and claims, the word “comprising” and itsderivatives including “comprises” and “comprise” include each of thestated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or morefurther integers.

1. A vending machine for dispensing bags comprising a housing having aninterior and an exterior, a storage compartment for storing bags locatedin the interior of the housing, a dispensing compartment accessible fromthe exterior of the housing, suction means positioned to allow movementbetween the storage compartment and the dispensing compartment, thesuction means adapted to grasp the bags stored in the storagecompartment, hold the bags during movement and release the bags into thedispenser compartment, and control means to control the movement of thesuction means.
 2. The vending machine as defined in claim 1, wherein thevending machine further comprises a means for accepting payment for thebags prior to dispensing the bags, the payment initiating a dispensingcycle once made.
 3. The vending machine as defined in claim 1, whereinthe machine dispenses at least one type of bags chosen from the groupcomprising paper bags, woven high density polyethylene bags, calicobags, cloth bags, and bags containing biodegradable material.
 4. Avending machine for dispensing paper bags comprising a housing having aninterior and an exterior, a storage compartment for storing paper bagslocated in the interior of the housing, a dispensing compartmentaccessible from the exterior of the housing, suction means positioned toallow movement between the storage compartment and the dispensingcompartment, the suction means adapted to grasp the paper bags stored inthe storage compartment, hold the paper bags during movement and releasethe paper bags into the dispenser compartment, and control means tocontrol the movement of the suction means.
 5. The vending machineaccording to claim 1 wherein the storage compartment comprises a base, afront wall and an opposed rear wall and two opposed side walls, the baseassociated with a movable plate positioned above the base which can moveup and down.
 6. The vending machine according to claim 5 wherein themovable plate is located adjacent the base when the storage compartmentis filled and moves upwardly in small increments as bags are dispensedto allow a bag to always be in position for engagement with the suctionmeans until the storage compartment is empty.
 7. The vending machineaccording to claim 1 wherein the storage compartment comprises more thanone storage area each storage area containing different size bags. 8.The vending machine according to claim 1 wherein the bags with which thestorage compartment is loaded are disposed in a horizontal, flattenedposition.
 9. The vending machine according claim 1 wherein an accessdoor is provided to the dispensing compartment, and the access door isonly opened as a part of a dispensing cycle and the dispensing cycledoes not operate while the access door is opened.
 10. The vendingmachine according to claim 1 wherein the suction means is associatedwith a guide means to allow easy movement between the storage and thedispenser compartments.
 11. The vending machine according to claim 1wherein the control means is associated with a means for acceptingpayment for the bags to allow the control means to start the dispensingcycle once the payment has been made.
 12. The vending machine accordingto claim 1 wherein the control means include a communication means witha digital counting means allowing monitoring of the level of inventoryof bags in a vending machine from a remote location.
 13. A method fordispensing bags from a vending machine comprising the steps of providinga plurality of bags in a storage compartment, accepting payment for thebags from a user, operating a suction means positioned to allow movementbetween the storage compartment and a dispensing compartment to graspthe bags stored in the storage compartment, the suction means holdingthe bags during movement and the suction means releasing the bags intothe dispenser compartment for collection by the user.
 14. The vendingmachine according to claim 1 further comprising an information screenlocated on a front portion of the machine capable of playing prerecordedmessages such as information messages about the damage caused bydisposable plastic bags.